SPORTS/briefly

INDIANAPOLIS The mechanic who was run over on pit row during the Indianapolis 500 was awake Monday.

Hospital officials said the crew worker was responding to those around him.

Chief mechanic Steve Fried remained in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital.

Energizer team spokesman Greg Hoover said doctors told the mechanic's colleagues not to expect a change in his condition for at least two to three more days.

"It's just really a wait and see situation," Hoover said. "I guess right now we are guardedly optimistic."

In an effort to prevent such injuries again, crews for the Energizer Motorsports team will wear helmets at the next Indy Racing League event at Texas Motor Speedway on June 12.

The driver for the 3-month-old racing team IRL rookie Robby McGehee finished fifth in the league's most prestigious race.

Fried was directing his driver's car out of the pit on the 12th lap of the Indianapolis 500 when Jimmy Kite's car hit him from behind.

Kite's car was hit from behind by Johnny Unser.

Dallas' Irvin requests trade from team

DALLAS Michael Irvin, the Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading receiver, has requested that the team trade him, his agent says.

The 11-year veteran played a lesser role last season in the Dallas offense under coach Chan Gailey.

"He has not demanded a trade, but he has let the Cowboys know if something comes along that benefits the team and himself, he would be in favor of it," agent Steve Endicott told The Dallas Morning News in Monday's editions.

Endicott said Irvin had not made an ultimatum, and the wide receiver continues to work out regularly at the Cowboys' Irving practice facility, including the twice weekly coaching sessions that began in early May.

Samaranch pledges to carry out IOC term

LAUSANNE, Switzerland {AP} IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch on Monday dismissed the notion of early retirement and insisted he will complete the remaining two years of his term.

Samaranch played down any rift with IOC vice president Dick Pound, who last month suggested Samaranch might leave after ushering in reforms at the end of this year.

The 78-year-old Spaniard cited the overwhelming vote of confidence 86-2 he won in a secret ballot in March during a special session dealing with the Salt Lake City bribery scandal. Wrestler mourned in Calgary funeral

CALGARY, Alberta Politicians and singers joined professional wrestlers and fans at a funeral Monday for wrestler Owen Hart.

Hart, 34, known as the Blue Blazer, plunged 70 feet to his death last Sunday during a dramatic entrance for a match in Kansas City.

Some 1,300 mourners packed the invitation-only service Monday. Among them were pro wrestlers Hulk Hogan, Road Dogg, Gorilla Monsoon, Paul Bearer, Sgt. Slaughter and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who arrived on buses bearing a banner reading "Owen You Will Always Be In Our Hearts."

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and his wife, Colleen, also attended the funeral.